Old-Time Religion in Elizabethton - 225 Years Worth!

Yesterday we did something we haven't done in a long time: we went to church. It was my first Sunday service in about 35 years, and it had been probably 20 or more for John. What was it that brought us into the fold after all these years? Friendship and history.

The Reverend John Shuck has been the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton since about the same time we moved here. We've gotten to know and be friends with John and several of his parishioners over the last 7 or 8 months, as we've worked to help build and coalesce the Peace and Justice movement in the Tri-Cities. They have been strong supporters of Concerned TN Citizens since the beginning!

Well, as you may have figured out by now, this area has a lot of history. Elizabethton and nearby Jonesborough are the oldest communities west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Before it was Elizabethton it was the Watauga Settlement. The area played prominently in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, and re-enactments are abundant. (Our friends Scott and Melanie Koenig, along with their daughter, Laurel, are spirited re-enactors who frequently participate in encampments, musters, and living history performances in the region.)

And not many years after the United Stated gained its independence, First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton was born. This Autumn marks the 225th anniversary of the founding of that church. It is only natural, therefore, that the church should kick off the commemoration by holding its own re-enactment. This one was done in the form of a sermon from the Reverend Horace C. Atwater, Pastor of the church in the 1870s. A hundred or so of his sermons were found and saved by a parishioner long after Atwater had died. Most of the sermons have been turned over to the Archives of Appalachia at ETSU. Five are kept at the church, however, in their own library and archives. One of these sermons was given yesterday by John, who gamely played the part of a circuit minister. The entire service was done according to what would have taken place around 1876, with old hymns, prayers, scripture readings, and even a string band (complete with washtub bass) to guide the flock through "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder", "Shall We Gather at the River", and "Amazing Grace". The service was then followed up with a "Dinner on the Ground", although that was modernized to include the comfort of the air-conditioned reception hall (for which we thank Whomever).

Many of the regular worshippers dressed in period costumes and joined in the sermon with an occasional "Amen, Brother!" and "Praise the Lord!". The sermon itself was fascinating - much was given to the notion that religion must not be controlled by government, and that people can and should think for themselves. Even 230 years ago First Pres was progressive! It is more so now, with a Peacekeeping Committee, a sign-waving protesting pastor, and a committee being formed to help guide First Pres as it strives to become a "Green Congregation". We were thrilled to count 10 Priuses in addition to our own in the parking lot! Progressive, indeed! Thanks, John and all the Congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton!